New to Sailing OR Refreshing your skills?

On this page you will find women and girls specific Learn To Sail Courses, Workshops and other learning opportunites run by Cowes Yacht Club. You can start learning to sail from 7 years as a junior in the Tackers program, from 12 years as a teenager in the Outthere Program, and any age for the "Off the Beach" courses. Many of these courses are taught by women instructors. However, if you don't mind mixing it up a bit you can find all courses here (Australia wide). Sailing is a great sport to be outside in the open air where you can have lots of fun, make lifelong friends and learn a new skill!  There are a huge range of learn to sail options to chose from, suitable for all ages and abilities at Discover Sailing Centres all over the country. 

If you are not ready to commit to a course there are dedicated Discover Sailing days hosted by clubs around the country allowing you to try sailing in a safe and fun environment. Many clubs also have women only come and try days where you can experience sailing, windsurfing or stand-up paddle boarding for the first time.

You can also just pop down to your nearest sailing club on any day and see what's going on. Sailors are generally a sociable lot and you'll soon meet people willing to show you the ropes! 

You might have sailed as a child or not been sailing for a few years. There are plenty of opportunities for female sailors to practice and improve your sailing skills, be it through social sailing or competitive racing. You can also check out Australia Sailing's dedicated SheSails site.

SheSails Summer 2024-2025 at Cowes Yacht Club

We are excited to have support from the Victorian Government & Australian Sailing in the past to run a subsidized sailing program for women, by women over the Jan period. Sessions will be four hours long  and 5 sessions and focus on getting on the water and enjoying the experience with other women. We will tailor the course to those who participate (cater for those with little, to no experience and for those who have prior sailing experience) and have some social fun as well. 

Please join us for an introductory sailing course for Women & Girls (12+). Sponsored by Australia Sailing She Sails Programme & Cowes Yacht Club & looking for new sponsors. The course content will be tailored to the experience and competence of each participant. 

Please consider joining us for our free Discover Sailing Days in late Dec 2024 & early Jan 2025. You can register or just turn up on the day (see https://www.cowesyachtclub.com/learn-to-sail/discover-sailing-day/ for more details).

Course with be run over 5 X 4 hr sessions & likely be the 2nd week of January in 2025. In 2024 we ran from 9 am - 1 pm, Mon 8 Jan - Fri 12 Jan. You can expect something similar in 2025. 

f these times & dates don't suit - please contact us via the Learn to sail interest form or reach out via the contact us page or consider trying sailing during one of our Discover Sailing days.

Watch the below video about our Around French Island race to hear women speak about their sailing experiences & see the many activities you can get involved in. Please note - we do not use these boats for SheSails :)